Much-loved unlikely animal friends die on same day
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- A nine-year-old capybara named Johnson and a 20-year-old Brazilian tapir named Al, who had formed a strong bond at Newquay Zoo, were euthanised on the same day to prevent either from experiencing loneliness.
- Both animals were facing age-related health issues that had recently affected their quality of life, prompting the zoo to make the difficult decision to put them to sleep simultaneously.
- Capybaras and tapirs are naturally social and calm species, and Johnson and Al had shared a long-standing companionship within the zoo's South American enclosure.
- The zoo staff expressed deep sorrow over the loss, emphasizing that both animals were beloved members of the zoo community and will be greatly missed by staff and visitors.
